Every time in the last few months that I voiced apprehension about going on alone, Marv would simply say, "You'll do fine." It's a month today that he passed away around four in the morning on July 25. I cannot describe the last month in any coherent way. But the recurring theme in my head …
Category: Health
Grace Notes #1: Afterward – Trusting God
A Chicago friend sent a photo of this cover from Fourth Presbyterian’s bulletin: I’m in Nouwen’s “trusting” stage. Our Celebration of Life Service for Marv is Saturday at 11am at Westminster Presbyterian. It’s been just twelve days since he passed away. Many family members and friends are coming to town, plus new friends and church …
God’s Grace #21: Transition
My husband, Marv, took his last breath around four yesterday morning, Wednesday, July 25, 2018. Even though heavily medicated he seemed to know that he had to get up at his usual time and go somewhere. Spooned behind him on our king-sized bed, my left arm tucked around his side, I suddenly felt the absence …
God’s Grace #20: “Finding Rest”
This devotional today from our former church in Chicago is appropriate as our family strives to be present for Marv during his final days. He’d rather we not “hover” over him, however, and let him mow our daughter’s lawn, water our flowers, work at his computer, and build a cart yet, from a golf cart …
God’s Grace #19: Happiness is…
going back home for the Fourth of July. Marv wanted to go to his hometown of Prinsburg, Minnesota, for their annual holiday celebration. Our son and daughter-in-law made that happen. They flew in over the previous weekend and our son drove us the three hours there, then another three hours the next day further north …
God’s Grace #18: Change
Our situation has changed. Two days ago, I wrote the note below to a closed online group for people who are living with Stage IV Small Cell Lung Cancer. Nearly 100 people have acknowledged that post, many of whom are bravely trying to beat this cancer. I’d like to share that note with you here: I’ve …
God’s Grace #16: Reprieve
We are taking time off from cancer. Not really. But we've been pleasantly distracted with a few-day visit from friends, and while they were here, we visited Pipestone National Monument in Pipestone, MN, about an hour from our home. From the Monument's website: For countless generations, American Indians have quarried the red pipestone found at …
God’s Grace #15: Be Outrageous
There are moments that the seriousness and the certainty and the finality of our situation slam into my consciousness and I weep. The weeping only lasts for a moment, but I wonder what will happen after Marv’s gone. Will I weep oceans? He continually reminds me I’ll do fine. Well, big deal. What does he …
Crossroads Hosts Book Signing of Caring Lessons – Nurses Week, 2018
Crossroads, 1220 W. 41st Street in Sioux Falls, will be hosting a book signing of Caring Lessons: A Nursing Professor's Journey of Faith and Self on Saturday, May 12, from 10 to 11:30am. May 12 is the final day of Nurses Week and Florence Nightingale's birthday. The owner asked that I publicize my book signing to …
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God’s Grace #13: Denial Won’t Work Anymore
*** “I couldn’t do what you’re doing,” we hear frequently, referring to my husband’s decision to forgo cancer treatment. It’s not been too hard so far because Marv’s been “normal.” But that changed last week when he sprouted his first new nodule since the one removed on January 23 that led to his diagnosis of …
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